City's fireworks restrictions remain in place

By Steve Ramirez/sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
07/01/2013 05:10:39 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES — The City Council voted Monday to extend a resolution that will restrict the use of fireworks throughout the city. Even though the summer rains began Sunday, it easily wasn't enough to quell drought conditions that have plagued the city and state for several years.

"It's still just way too dry," said Las Crucen Henrietta Casas. "It was a good start, a nice start, but we still need a lot more rain. Until then, I just hope people don't go crazy with fireworks. There's too much of a chance of something really bad happening because it's so dry."

The resolution approved by council Monday is a 30-day continuation of the same resolution it adopted June 3. The resolution extends the restrictions on permissible fireworks that can be sold and discharged within the city. Aerial fireworks — aside from those that will lit during Thursday's public fireworks display — are a no-no for everyone else within the city limits.

Officially, .04 of an inch of rain fell Sunday night across Las Cruces.

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There is at least a 20 percent chance of rain every night for the next week in Las Cruces.

The council's decision to extend the drought proclamation means the use of fireworks will continue to be restricted to barren areas that have readily available water sources nearby. Sweetser said fireworks are also banned on all Las Cruces school properties, including parking lots.

Donated ambulance

Meanwhile changes to the Las Cruces Fire Department are coming as the council voted 7-0 Monday to accept a used ambulance from American Medical Response.

The ambulance will be used, beginning sometime in August as a "squad unit" for the Fire Department, the first time city firefighters have operated with such a vehicle.

The LCFD squad unit will utilize a 2007 ambulance. The squad unit will operate as pilot program that will have Fire Department personnel respond with an ambulance that will be capable of transporting critically ill, or injured, patients.

Fire Chief Travis Brown told the council the ambulance donated to the city has a little more than 250,000 miles on it.

"It's in pretty good shape for 250,000 miles," Brown said.

But the new emergency vehicle is anticipated to improve response times. The squad unit will be based at Fire Station No. 2, at the corner of Chaparro Street and Foster Road.

"It is increasing our resources within that (fire) district," Brown said. He added Fire Station No. 2 is the busiest of all the city's fire stations.

Council members said they already envision some advantages of adding the squad unit to the Fire Department.

"I think this is going to save the city money, in the big picture," Councilor Miguel Silva said.

"For us to have this is a really great thing," Mayor Ken Miyagishima added.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6

In other council action

— The council unanimously approved a new memorandum of understanding between the city and the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership

— The council also unanimously awarded a $239,533 bid to Jobe Materials, of El Paso for asphalt "hot mix," to be used to resurface 20 Las Cruces streets

— The council approved a small brewers' liquor license to Roadrunner Brew House, 901 E. University Ave.